Chapter 22: Xu Youran's Jealousy Backfired

"Who did I just see? Senior Soul Master?"Chen Siling's mind went blank.She had the illusion that the world had been turned upside down.How could Jiang Fan, the mute man whose reputation as a good-for-nothing was known throughout Lone Boat City, be identical to a Second-Rank Soul Master?No, they were the same person!The same person!Her best friend's fiancé was actually the mysterious Senior Soul Master she had intended to dedicate herself to?It took her a while to be roused by Xu Youran's voice.

"Siling, don't be angry anymore.""Xiao Fan, look how upset Siling is. Why don't you apologize to her?"

Chen Siling was startled awake.She gasped inwardly, repeatedly.How could she dare to let a Second-Rank Soul Master apologize to her?She quickly dropped the sword in her hand and waved it off, "No, no, I was impulsive. I offended Senior Soul... Young Master Jiang."She realized that Xu Youran seemed unaware of Jiang Fan's true identity.Jiang Fan was likely deliberately concealing it, so she couldn't expose him and quickly corrected herself.

"Young Master Jiang, please have a seat."She was a bit reserved and politely invited Jiang Fan to sit down.She even personally picked up the teapot, poured him a cup of tea, and presented it to him with both hands: "Young Master Jiang, please have some tea."

Jiang Fan found it strange.Just moments ago, she was fierce, but now that she saw him, she had completely changed?Xu Youran also looked puzzled.Hadn't Siling been clamoring to teach Jiang Fan a lesson?Why was she suddenly so polite upon meeting him?Could it be that she was giving her face and decided not to bother with Jiang Fan anymore?Thinking this, she smiled with relief and said, "Xiao Fan, Siling is my best friend. She was just trying to test you earlier; don't take it to heart."

Jiang Fan nodded and wrote, "Understood."Chen Siling, however, was drenched in sweat.Recalling her behavior just now, she trembled with fear.She had been making things difficult for the Chen family's main benefactor, and she had even drawn her sword on him.The more she thought about it, the more restless she became, her face filled with trepidation, and her voice incredibly gentle: "Young Master Jiang, I heard from Youran that the Xu family matriarch is giving you trouble with the betrothal gifts.""Youran and I have been friends for many years, so naturally, I can't just stand by.""I'll have someone bring 300,000 taels of silver shortly; I hope it can help you, Young Master Jiang."

She was trying to atone for her mistake.But Xu Youran was utterly confused.Chen Siling hadn't said anything like this earlier!Hadn't she firmly stated that she wouldn't help?And hadn't she sworn to break them up?What was the result?Jiang Fan hadn't even asked for help, and she was already offering it herself.

What was even more outrageous was that during their subsequent time together, Chen Siling completely ignored her and was relentlessly attentive to Jiang Fan.She served Jiang Fan snacks first.When touring the Chen family garden, she introduced it to Jiang Fan first.And when explaining the Chen family's history, she even revealed many secrets to Jiang Fan that Xu Youran herself didn't know.Chen Siling had never been so enthusiastic towards her, even after all these years of friendship!

Consequently, on the way back, Xu Youran was sullen in the carriage."What's wrong?"Jiang Fan was counting the various gifts, large and small, that Chen Siling had given him.Noticing that Xu Youran looked somewhat off, he asked, puzzled.

Xu Youran looked at Jiang Fan, hesitant to speak.Finally, she couldn't help but say sourly, "Chen Siling seems to have fallen for you."

Jiang Fan's eyes widened: "Don't talk nonsense!"Xu Youran's heart grew even more bitter as she said:"I've never seen her so attentive to a man before.""Besides, she was aggressive towards you at first, but the moment she saw you in person, she became a completely different person.""What else could that be but love at first sight?"As she spoke, her eyes began to redden slightly.She never dreamed that the cliché story of a best friend stealing a man would happen to her.

Kind as she was, she didn't blame Chen Siling. Instead, she said with a pang of sadness, "Xiao Fan, if you think Chen Siling is good, then choose her. I won't blame you."A hint of inferiority flickered in her eyes.In terms of family background, status, connections, and strength, Chen Siling was far superior to her.If Jiang Fan married her, he would gain endless benefits,and wouldn't be burdened with troubles like he was in the Xu family.

Seeing that she was on the verge of tears, Jiang Fan realized she was genuinely upset and quickly pulled her into an embrace."Foolish girl!""Let's not even talk about Chen Siling's feelings for me.""But do I even need to state my feelings for you?""You saved me in my most difficult time. That kindness is something I'll repay for a lifetime."

Listening to Jiang Fan's sincere words, Xu Youran's mood improved somewhat."The high-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid I just gave you, use it secretly and don't be frugal; I have plenty more," Jiang Fan instructed again."Also, practice the Yellow-rank advanced cultivation method as quickly as you can."He had considered giving her the supreme-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid as well.However, he worried she might inquire about its origin, thus exposing his identity as a Soul Master.So, for now, he decided to let her use the high-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid first.

Xu Youran then managed a slight smile: "Yes, I will work hard."With the high-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid and the Yellow-rank advanced cultivation method, she was confident she could improve her cultivation in a short time.Although she might not catch up to Chen Siling, she would narrow the gap.Leaning into Jiang Fan's embrace, she found a renewed sense of security and said, "Siling promised to help us gather the betrothal gifts, so now we don't have to worry."

However, when they returned to the Xu family,they found several luxurious carriages parked at the entrance.Upon entering, they sawboxes, adorned with red paper, lined up from the doorway all the way to the living room.

Seeing Xu Youran return,Wang Yingfeng's face lit up with a smile: "Youran, quickly! Come and meet Young Master Zhu!""You still remember him, don't you?"

Xu Youran was puzzled. Walking into the main hall, she saw a young man in luxurious clothes sitting beside her father, Xu Zhengyan, as equals.He was eight feet tall, handsome, and had exceptionally sharp eyes.His cultivation had reached the Foundation Establishment realm!However, he was quite a bit older than Xu Youran, easily over thirty.

"Zhu Jianshen?"Xu Youran recognized him and spoke his name with a hint of reluctance.Jiang Fan, upon entering, couldn't help but frown.Why was he here?

Five years ago, Zhu Jianshen was found to have a fourth-grade spiritual root. A relative of his in the Azure Cloud Sect managed to get him admitted.Back then, he was only at the third level of Qi Cultivation. Now, after years of training in the Azure Cloud Sect, he was already a master of the Foundation Establishment realm!What Jiang Fan remembered vividly was that Zhu Jianshen had once lured Xu Youran to a dilapidated temple, attempting to defile her.It was Jiang Fan's father who intervened and drove Zhu Jianshen away.This was also why Xu Youran had taken such great care of Jiang Fan after his father's death.

Xu Youran looked at the red boxes covering the floor and immediately had an ominous feeling: "Father, what is this?"Xu Zhengyan sighed deeply and said, "Young Master Zhu returned from the Azure Cloud Sect to recuperate from an injury, and he happened to learn you were still unmarried, so he came to propose marriage."

Propose marriage?Xu Youran immediately protested vehemently: "I already have a fiancé! Young Master Zhu, please take all these betrothal gifts back!"But Wang Yingfeng interjected, "Fiancé? Are you talking about Jiang Fan? Did he even give any betrothal gifts?""Even if he did, could they be as much as Young Master Zhu's?""Do you know how much these betrothal gifts are worth? A full 500,000 taels of silver!""Can Jiang Fan afford that?"

Everyone's gazes simultaneously turned to Jiang Fan.Many clan members showed pity.Jiang Fan was indeed quite pitiful, with one wave of trouble following another.Zhu Jianshen also looked at Jiang Fan with a provocative gaze. If it hadn't been for Jiang Fan's father and son back then, he would have already "cooked the rice" with Xu Youran.However, it wasn't too late today.A betrothal gift of 500,000 taels of silver was enough to make Jiang Fan watch helplessly as his woman was taken away.Xu Youran was also burning with anxiety. Chen Siling had only promised to provide 300,000 taels as a betrothal gift.Right now, 500,000 taels was something Chen Siling couldn't possibly produce on such short notice!

Just at that moment,Jiang Fan unceremoniously wrote a line of text."After messing around in the Azure Cloud Sect for five years, you can only come up with 500,000 for a betrothal gift?"